JUST IN: Top Pentagon Official Says U.S.-Turkey Spat Could Cause Delays for F-35 Program (UPDATED)

F-35A

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The ongoing dispute between the United States and Turkey over Ankara’s plans to buy a Russian air defense system could lead to delays and cost increases for the F-35 joint strike fighter program, according to the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer.

Turkey is a NATO ally and one of nine partner countries involved in producing the fifth-generation fighter.

They're "a very good supplier on the F-35 program,” Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord told reporters May 10 during a briefing at the Pentagon.

However, the Turkish government also plans to buy the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. That has sparked the ire of Trump administration officials who fear that the purchase could end up comprising the security of the stealthy F-35.

“The U.S. continues to speak with Turkey on a routine basis [and] we have been very clear that the F-35 and the S-400 are incompatible,” Lord said.

Policymakers in Washington have said that Turkey will be cut out of the supply chain if it proceeds with purchasing the Russian system.

“We have for some time now been working to look at alternate sources of supply for the F-35 supply chain that is inside Turkey right now,” Lord said.

However, removing Turkey from the project could cause problems for the other F-35 partners, Lord said.

“We see a potential slowing down of some deliveries over the next two years, some potential cost impacts,” she said. “But right now we believe we can minimize both of those and are working on refining” that analysis.

Lord noted that the United States still hopes Ankara will decide to forgo the S-400 and buy the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system instead.

Meanwhile, the F-35 joint program office is in contract negotiations with prime contractor Lockheed Martin regarding the low-rate initial production Lot 12 buy.

Lord declined to comment about prices or costs associated with those talks.

“We are hoping to wrap up here very shortly,” she said. “We would like to have a contract award in the June-July timeframe.”

She noted that the Defense Department continues to work closely with Lockheed to better understand the cost drivers in the production line.

“We are getting better and better fidelity around that, which is allowing us to continue to construct incentive fees around the work that’s being done, and the critical work to keep the number of aircraft coming off that line consistent with what we need to deliver each year,” Lord said. “We continue to look at ways to get cost out of the system” including sustainment costs, she added.

Lockheed has said it is offering the F-35A for less than $80 million per plane by Lot 14, which is lower than the price tag of $89 million per aircraft that was part of the deal signed last year for Lot 11.

Topics: Air Force News, Air Power